Parenthood is probably the most satisfying experience in an individual's life. It brings, joy, happiness, and love that is truly unconditional. All parents want the best for their child in terms of education, growth, comfort. The best possible clothes, best possible nutrition supplements, best possible schools with 5 star facilities, clothes to keep up with the latest trends, latest toys in the market. It starts when the child is born and carries on till he is big enough to earn himself. The requirements change with age ,toys give way to mobiles and i phones, 5 star schools give way to 5 star institutions, food supplements are not needed anymore so McDonalds and KFCs take over. Parents really go all out to fulfill all wishes. After all, that is the reason for all the hard work parents put in their offices in today’s double income, nuclear families and the child has a right to his happiness.
The big question is-is it really what a child wants or needs for a healthy upbringing? There are plenty of parents in our country who cannot afford the best for their children. Does it mean that their children doubt their love for them? Or is it that such children do not grow into healthy, educated and responsible citizens of the country? What is it that children really want, expect and need from their parents? There are many questions that each individual needs to ask himself for healthy growth and development of the child. Here are a few points which may be thought provoking for every parent.
Time- Children need to spend quality time with their parents. In today’s world, where most parents are busy in their professional lives find less and less time for their children. Children spend long hours in day care centers and when they get home, their parents are too tired from their days work to actually talk to them for too long. To overcome this shortcoming of not being able to give enough time to their children, parents either give in to all whims buying them expensive toys, gadgets etc. or they set up strict rules and guidelines to follow in order to meet up to their expectations. It is their way of doing the best for their children. In reality, this actually has a very negative effect on children. It is important for both parents to give ‘quality time’ to them in order to bond with them. Parents need to talk to them and get an insight into their world to actually be able to help in their upbringing . Children at a young age are so full of questions and inquisitiveness and no one better than parents can quench this thirst for information. Parents must find time to satisfy these young minds at their formative years. They must find time to play with their little ones, to hold their hands and take them for outings. No one else and in no other way can one give a child,a happy and healthy childhood.
Guidance and Assurance- each child especially at their school going age, looks for his parents to be by his side. In many cases, parents have such high expectations from their children that children are burdened with the thought of being the best in everything they do. Unless they succeed in everything they do,with flying colours they feel as if they are actually letting their parents down, which leads to serious trauma at times. It is every parents duty to guide and encourage their children to give in their best for everything they do, but in case of failure they must assure their children that they will accept it graciously and be there for them and will continue guiding them constantly. It is essential to gauge a child’s potential and capabilities. Every child has a knack for something in particular. Parents can easily recognize these hidden talents and help polish them. Parents should also be role-models to their children, they should practice what they preach. Only then will a child get the right values instilled in him. It is a fact that children learn the most at home and they learn what they see. For example, if a parent wants to teach honesty to his children, he has to be truly honest himself. Same goes for compassion, sincerity, determination and every other desirable quality.
Space- As children start growing,and reach a certain age they need a certain degree of space for themselves to face the world outside,independently. Parents either are too liberal with no idea whatsoever of what their children are up to or they are over interfering into their lives .Parents should find a balance between these two extremes and the way out is to be friends with their children so that they can have open discussions easy sharing of thoughts. It is essential to build trust from both sides before these young adults turn mature, independent and responsible adults.
To sum up the issue, I would like to say that today, many parents have the means to give their children everything they aspire for . But they must realize there are certain things which money can’t buy, but are most important to shape up these young ,enthusiastic and amazing minds.